Stimulus check update: $500 direct payment arriving in four days.

A Program Providing Monthly Payments to Families in Sonoma County

A program in Sonoma County, California, is making a positive impact by sending $500 monthly payments to 305 families. The next payment is scheduled to be sent out in just four days.

The Pathway to Income Equity Pilot Program

The Pathway to Income Equity pilot program carefully selected 305 families out of 6,450 applicants. To be eligible, applicants needed to have at least one child under 6 years old, have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and have a household income no more than 185% above the federal poverty level, according to the Sonoma County Administrator’s Office.

Exploring the Effects of Guaranteed Income

This program serves as an experiment to understand how guaranteed income can positively impact impoverished families. Angie Dillon-Shore, the executive director of First 5 Sonoma County, an independent public agency focused on early childhood development, explained that payments are sent on the third Wednesday of each month. Therefore, this month’s payment will be sent out on June 21.

“This extra income will allow them to spend more time with their families, find better jobs, or improve their financial well-being, resulting in better outcomes for their kids,” Dillon-Shore said.

Dillon-Shore also mentioned that First 5 Sonoma County is collaborating with an external evaluator to conduct qualitative research, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups with the participants over the course of two years. The findings will be published in a preliminary report in spring 2024 and a final report in early 2025.

Addressing Financial Struggles in Sonoma County

A 2021 study conducted by the organization United Ways of California revealed that 52% of Sonoma County households with children under the age of 6 faced challenges in meeting their family’s basic needs. The study also highlighted that single mothers were particularly vulnerable, with 67% falling below the study’s self-sufficiency standard.

Supervisor Chris Coursey, the chairman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of these payments for families with young children who often struggle with the high costs of housing and child care. He stated, “The information we gain from this pilot program will help shape future efforts to improve the health and welfare of our community.”

Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.